8/29/09

Millar Family Recipies

My sister decided to start up a Millar Family Recipe blog, so from now on I'll be posting my new recipes there. I just added a great zucchini bread recipe. Feel free to visit any time.

Also, my garden and freezer are overflowing with zucchini and crook-neck squash. If any of you have good recipes (preferably on the healthier side), please send them my way. Thanks.

8/25/09

Kid Activities

I am always looking for more ways to entertain my kids, especially educational ways. For some reason I've been turning more and more towards PBS (gulp - I admitted it out loud). I found this amazing sight with links to all sorts of fun ideas. It is geared towards preschool activities, so it's great for young kids. Right now, Emma is coloring a book of The Frog Prince with matching dolls with dress-up clothes. Enjoy.

8/20/09

Fun with Friends

We were finally able to meet up with Michelle Gibbs and her kids this morning and go to the zoo. We got there early and were actually able to see active animals. Everyone had a lot of fun, but the best part was catching up with Michelle. We'll have to do it again soon.

Emma, Ashlyn, Carson, and Natalie


Emma

Ashlyn

Now it's time to dive back into work. Classes start Tuesday. I'll be teaching both classes in IF. If I'd held off a bit, I could actually be teaching here in Pocatello, but what do you do. Maybe next semester.

8/18/09

8 Years


Yesterday was our 8th anniversary. I can't believe it's been so long, but they've been such good years that they've flown. We've done a lot of great things together over the years, but my favorite accomplishment is how close we've become. Nick is truly my best friend. We have no secrets from each other except those of necessity regarding our callings. We're able to discuss everything, from our favorite jokes and stories to the most serious and sometimes difficult topics. Our relationship is so much more than a marriage. I truly feel that Nick is my companion. I'm so grateful for all he does for me and the girls. I told him the other day that marrying him was a good choice. He laughed a bit at that, but it's true. I have no regrets in marrying him. I love you Nick. I look forward to growing that much closer to you over the next eight years.

Camping

We had a great time camping with Moores and their boys last weekend. We went up to Pebble Canyon Campground above Lava Hot Springs and pitched our tents. It was a great trip despite a steady wind. The kids had so much fun running up and down the little hill between the tent sites and roasting hot dogs and s'mores. I've never seen our girls so dirty, but they had a blast. The kids even slept well in the tent, although we may need to get a larger one for future trips.

Here's the group: Tyler, Carter, Ashley, Ryker, Emma, Nick, Tonya, and Ashlyn.

Our little hill side. Ryker and Carter's trucks rode down it very well.
Geesh! How can I get dirtier? Bring on the ashes!

Ryker, Carter, Ashlyn, and Emma posing while on our short nature hike. Why are the boys smiling so well while the girls are the ones with their tongues out? Silly kiddos.

After camping, we drove down to Downata Hot Springs. The day was quite cool, so Lava Hot Springs wasn't quite warm enough. The other springs' pools were 98 degrees. It was perfect. We all had fun splashing and going down some really fun slides. Sorry no pictures. No one wanted to get out of the warm water long enough to grab the camera. Thanks Tyler and Ashley for a great trip.

8/17/09

What a Jam Jamboree

I spent many hours last week making cooked jam. I now have apricot, raspberry, apricot-pineapple, and triple berry jam. All in all, I have 40+ jars of jam. Luckily everyone loves them. I'm curious to see how long it takes us to go through all the jars.

8/2/09

Huckleberry Picking

My sister Kerri and I met up yesterday and went huckleberry picking at one of my favorite places above Kelli Canyon Ski Resort. I spent a lot of time in those mountains as a teenager, so it was a trip down memory lane. We each brought two little girls, so they helped pick as well as eat the berries. The girls were really good the entire time. Kerri's Amber was such a good helper with Ashlyn and everyone kept good track of each other.

At one point, Emma announced that she had decided to go to the bathroom. While I hurried to help her, Ashlyn managed to eat about a cup of huckleberries. If you have ever been picking, you know that that's about an hour's worth of work. And she was furious when I took them away from her. I'll admit that I wasn't at all happy about it then, but in all honesty, who could blame her? They're a taste of Idaho heaven. Next time I'll follow Kerri's lead and pick into a milk jug.

All in all, I made it home with four cups of berries. I'll be making a batch of huckleberry raspberry jam and freezing the rest for pancakes and milkshakes. Yummy. Thanks for picking with me Kerri.